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June 22, 2001 JOURNALISTS: Here are story ideas and a list of selected Purdue events during the next two weeks. Student to live on Arctic 'Mars' base Jaret Matthews, a senior engineering student at Purdue University, is among an elite group of researchers spending time this summer at a simulated Mars base on Devon Island in the Canadian Arctic. Matthews, 22, is one of 12 new "crew members" chosen from a pool of 250 applicants for the Mars Analog Research Station Project, sponsored by the Mars Society, a private group advocating human exploration of the red planet. The aspiring astronaut will leave for Devon Island in late July and then spend most of August at the station. Devon Island's frigid, arid landscape is the closest thing to Mars on Earth. Crew members will live inside of a two-story, 26-foot-wide cylindrical "habitat" located on the edge of a large crater. "It looks like a spaceship that essentially landed on Mars," Matthews said. "There is an airlock. You get in a space suit if you want to go outside." The student will bring his own all-terrain vehicle with him on the trip. He rebuilt the six-wheeled rover from a dilapidated farm vehicle, added remote controls and named it the Purdue University Rover for Mars Analog Research. Information about Matthews' work on the rover is available on his Web site. Researchers simulate living conditions on a Mars base to provide insights for future manned missions to the planet. Scientists also want to study the warm springs and geological characteristics of Haughton Crater, a large crater on the island. Mars is littered with similar craters, and researchers would like to know whether the presence of springs might be associated with craters. CONTACT: Jaret Matthews, Cell phone(314) 322-8782; matthejb@purdue.edu. Multicultural camps focus on forensic science Purdue University's own version of the popular television show "CSI" will take place on campus during the last two weeks of June, as young sleuths take a scientific approach to "solving" a crime. Teams of minority students will conduct lab analyses in their investigation of five "suspects." They will then feature their conclusions in poster presentations. Photo opportunities will be available during both the investigative and presentation phases of the camps. Approximately 45 students from throughout the Midwest will attend the camps. High school students will attend camp Sunday through Saturday (6/17-6/23). Middle school students will participate June 24-30. The ultimate goal of the camps is to attract minority students to science oriented careers. CONTACT: Regina Todd Hicks, director of Multicultural Science Programs, (765) 494-1760, hicks@science.purdue.edu. Events • Wednesday, July 4. Stars and Stripes Concert. 6 p.m. Slayter Center for the Performing Arts. Tippecanoe County's annual July Fourth celebration begins with the Purdue Jazz Band. The Lafayette Symphony Orchestra takes the stage at 7:15 p.m. Fireworks are scheduled for approximately 9:25 p.m. The concert is free, and the public is encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and picnics for the evening. In the event of rain, the concert will be July 5. CONTACT: Gail Reise, communications coordinator, office of physical facilities, (765) 496-3162, gail@purdue.edu. • Friday, July 6. Board of Trustees meeting. Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page